Donor Story – Rourke Barsanti

Nantucket Elementary School fifth-grader Rourke Barsanti has Asperger Syndrome and he is a wonderful self-advocate and fundraiser. Last year, he did a PowerPoint presentation about people with autism and presented it to his third grade cluster. This year, he raffled off a whale that he made and donated the proceeds, $62, to Autism Speaks.

Just like Rourke, his family (mom – Sydney, dad – Bob, and brother – Beck) is very supportive of Autism Speaks and the Nantucket Autism Speaks Resource Center. His mom, Sydney Fee Barsanti, is a co-chair of the Nantucket Walk Now for Autism Speaks and a veteran team captain.

I would love to see the PowerPoint presentation!! We have 4 children – the oldest is in 3rd grade, triplets are in 1st grade. Two of the triplets have PDD-NOS. We are struggling with not only how to explain the differences to our 2 neurotypical children but their peers as well. I think that it is simply amazing what Rourke has accomplished already!!!

Rourke Barsanti…what a brillant way to teach and bring about awareness! My grandson is on the autism spectrum…he teaches me about life and love in a way that i would never have the opportunity to learn.
Thank-you for sharing with me a part of your life, and for helping me to listen and learn.

thank you sooo much for sharing.my 7 yr old nephew has autism.he also has apraxia,lack of verbal skills,bless his heart,hes trying.but you have given him words today.because now we have a better understanding of why he eats this and not that or likes this and not that.i cannot express how grateful i am when given a chance to hear and understand about autism from someone firsthand.continued blessings to all of you!and again,thank you!!